PEARLS. 109 
The fatigue attendant on the act of diving is very 
great, and the men employed in the Pearl fishery 
frequently discharge not only water, but even blood 
from their ears and nostrils, on being drawn into the 
boat. But this does not prevent them from making 
forty of fifty plunges during the course of the day ; 
for persons accustomed to the water from their infancy 
acquire a sort of amphibious nature, and appear to 
retain the same self-possession, while in this deceit- 
ful element, as when on land. Savage nations, as 
well as the adventurous Indians, are remarkable for 
this peculiarity ; and according to the accounts of 
several voyagers, the inhabitants of the South-Sea 
islands are such expert divers, that when a nail, or 
any piece of iron,-is thrown overboard, they will 
instantly plunge into the sea, and never fail to recover 
it, notwithstanding the quick descent of the metal. 
Each of the Pearl-divers, generally remains under 
water about two minutes at.a time, though instances 
have occurred in which four, or even five have been 
devoted to this dangerous employment; and a diver 
from Anjanga, in the year 1797, absolutely remained 
under water during the space of six minutes. 
Such is the general method of obtaining Pearls; 
such are the dangers connected with this adventurous 
trade. Yet these costly gems have no pretensions to 
any actual use,—their value arises merely from their 
rarity and beauty, united to that general predilection 
